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of individuals, families and communities. Faces & Voices of Recovery advocates for a recovery research agenda to provide policymakers, the media, and citizens with more information on the pathways that these people have taken on their recovery journeys, as well as their numbers and experiences. Taxpayers have invested millions of dollars in understanding addiction. It is time to understand recovery so that the more than 22 million Americans who still need help can enjoy long-term recovery from addiction.
Almost two-thirds of Americans have friends or family members who have struggled with
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addiction. Over 22 million Americans suffer from addiction or dependence on alcohol and drugs and have yet to experience recovery. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (66%) view addiction as a form of illness and something individuals cannot remedy alone. One in four people in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction say that they have been discriminated against when trying to obtain employment or insurance. Addiction left untreated, costs Americans more than 100,000 lives and $400 billion each year. 5 Every dollar spent on drug treatment in the community is estimated to return $18.52 in benefits to society in terms of reduced incarceration rates and associated crime costs to taxpayers.
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What Does America Think about Addiction Prevention and Treatment? Harvard School of Public Health/Robert Wood Johnson
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Foundation/ICR (2006) Results from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health National Findings, Substance Abuse and Mental
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Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) What Does America Think about Addiction Prevention and Treatment? Harvard School of Public Health/Robert Wood Johnson
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Foundation/ICR (2006) Faces & Voices of Recovery Survey, Peter. D. Hart Research Associates, (2001) Updating Estimates of the Economic Costs of Alcohol Abuse in the United States: Estimates, Updated Methods, and Data, H. Harwood (2000)
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Substance Abuse Treatment and Public Safety, Justice Policy Institute (1/16/08)
We are pleased to announce that Detroit, Michigan will be the national hub event for the 2012 Rally for Recovery! Please contact: http://www.facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/rally/
Visit http://facesandvoicesofrecovery.org/regions/great_lakes.php#news to stay up to date with local events in the Great Lakes Region.